Been getting PMs asking me how I got “hooked up” by RKSport and how the car went to SEMA. Also been getting questions about what mods are on the car and a few other things…so thought I’d do a little recap for everyone that might be interested.

Hate to say it…but I’ve never been lucky with anything…this just happened and I’m thankful for it and understand what actually happened here…what I actually got! I’ve built cars before and invested lots of money, time, sweat and tears…I was lucky on this one…very lucky and I know that!

Back in late July RKSport posted up on the forum if anyone would be interested in having a “show car” prepared by them and featured at SEMA. I was on Camaro5 at the time and hit “NEW POSTS” and saw the thread and replied to it…having used RKSports’ products in the past for other cars I’ve had I knew they were a quality product and a respectful company! Thought to myself “sure, let me see what they have planned…not like I’d actually do it!.”

Got a PM from Sean at RKSport in a few minutes after I posted and we went back and forth for about 30 minutes or so in PMs and then I got the drawings for what they had in mind from him in email. Once I saw the drawing I knew I wanted to do this! It was the coolest Camaro I’d seen and if my Camaro SS turned out anything close, I knew I’d be one happy dude! At this time…the wife didn’t know! I had to tell her later what was happening! LOL!

Here was the catch…they wanted the car then, by 3 Aug 09! Not later, not for only a week, not for a month but they wanted it 3 months before SEMA…and they were going to keep it the entire time! Well…back story…I’m active duty Air Force and was schedule to deploy to Afghanistan in Oct 09…so I thought “well yeah, I’ll be without the car for a couple months and then I’d deploy and the car would just sit in the garage while I’m gone”! So Sean and I struck a deal!

This was on a Thursday evening when everything was settled (and I told the wife finally!)…I needed to have the car out to RKSport, 1330 miles away, on Monday morning! So I make plans to drive out there on Saturday and Sunday, sit with RKSport on Monday and fly back to San Antonio on Tuesday. And that’s exactly what happened! Left Saturday morning, rolled in to Cali on Sunday afternoon, sat down with Sean and Mike from RKSport on Monday, went over everything…actually I pretty much said have at it, she’s all yours…and flew home on Tuesday!

Elisio was the fabricator and craftsman who did all the work on the car. He had the Camaro on jack stands within a few minutes after I pulled in to RKSport and went to work! He made everything from scratch on the exterior! He’s a great guy and has skills that I’d love to have! He did an outstanding job on the kit, hood, spoiler and rear diffuser! Thanks Elisio!

I got a ton of photos along the way and even after I deployed I’ve been talking with RKSport via email. The end result is nothing short of amazing! Added bonus was seeing my Camaro SS at SEMA in the Energy Suspension booth and having Magnuson ship a fully polished MP2300 TVS system for them to add for SEMA! Heck everything done to the car has been a bonus to be honest! It’s more than I could have even thought of much less actually own!

As of today, I’m still in Afghanistan and I, much like you, have only seen pictures of the car. I’ve yet to drive it, hear the rumble of the exhaust, feel the power of a supercharged LS3 or see white smoke come of those Hankooks…but I will! I return in early spring from here and will be rolling around San Antonio all summer! Got my room reserved for Camaro5 Fest too…so if you are there you’ll see it in person!

RKSport is still working a few things out for the Camaro so she’s still in Cali and scheduled to be home sometime in early January 2010. I’d like to thank RKSport and everyone there…Mr. Bob (RK) Smith, Mike, Sean and Elisio for all their hard work, their communication with me and their vision to bring together a truly awesome 2010 Camaro SS!

So that’s my story…a crazy one! I’m one lucky SOB!! Here are all the mods done to my Camaro SS.

10. A manual transmission is the ultimate in control
9. You can use automotive jargon and not sound like a total tool
8. You can't spell "manual" without "man"
7. Manual transmissions prove you can do more than one thing at a time
6. You can't drift in an auto
5. You can't pull fancy moves in an automatic
4. You get better fuel economy with a stick
3. You’ll never look like a chump if you can drive stick
2. Manual transmission cars are faster
1. Women like a guy who is good with his hands.